The project "Plasmonic alternative materials for solar energy conversion" focus on increasing solar energy conversion efficiency by exploiting the plasmonic properties of widely available materials such as aluminium, copper and their alloys with silver and gold. The potential benefits and limitations of the materials will be investigated using electrodynamics and first-principle numerical simulations and verified by thin film technique fabrication and characterization of samples. Optimization of material nanostructures will be carried out for plasmonic-assisted water splitting and steam generation as representative examples of large and small scale solar energy conversion schemes. This 2-year project is financed by the "Support to research and development in the field of climate change" program of the Croatian Science Foundation.

In the framework of the project we are offering two post-doctoral positions at the Laboratory of Optics and Optical Thin Films of the Ruđer Boskovic Institute (Zagreb, Croatia) to work in the theoretical (position A) and experimental (position B) aspects of the project. For the position A we seek candidates with background in density functional theory and/or electrodynamic simulations. For position B, the candidate should have experience in one or more of the following fields: nano-structuring, thin film fabrication and characterization, water splitting. The project will begin on 1^st June 2017 and the post-doctoral researchers are expected to start in September 2017.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Jordi Sancho-Parramon (jsancho@irb.hr) for further information.